Various Composers - In Wilhelmine's Footsteps (Camerata Øresund)

Information

• Johann Pfeiffer - Suite in G Minor for Oboe or Violin concertato, Strings and Basso continuo
• Wilhelmine von Bayreuth - Concerto in G Minor for Harpsichord, Strings and Basso continuo
• Wilhelmine von Bayreuth - Argenore: Un certo freddo orrore
• Wilhelmine von Bayreuth - Sonata in A Minor for Flute and Basso continuo
• Bernhard Joachim Hagen - Concerto in D Minor for Lute, Two Violins, Viola and Cello
• Wilhelmine von Bayreuth - Argenore: Senza aita
• Pietro Locatelli - Concerto grosso in G Minor, Op. 1 No. 12

Camerata Øresund

Peter Spissky, conductor

Date: 2025

Label: Channel Classics

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Baroque ensemble Camerata Øresund and their musical director / violinist Peter Spissky explore the musical world of composer, instrumentalist, and patron of the arts, Wilhelmine von Bayreuth (1709–1758). The recording brings to light works by Wilhelmine herself and musicians from within her circle, as we rediscover several long-forgotten pieces. Wilhelmine’s entrepreneurial spirit, intellect, talent, and deep love of music and the arts remain an enduring source of inspiration. This album is a tribute to the life and legacy of this remarkable woman of the arts, revealing vibrant musical colours and styles in these concertos, dances, and arias.

Wilhelmine von Bayreuth was a German composer, patron, and intellectual known for her contributions to the cultural life of 18th-century Bayreuth. The sister of Frederick the Great and composer Anna Amalia of Prussia, she shared a close bond with Frederick, especially during their youth. After marrying Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-Bayreuth, in 1731, she played a central role in Bayreuth’s “Golden Era,” founding a major library and helping establish the city as a European cultural hub. Her surviving works, including the opera Argenore and chamber music, reflect late Baroque influences. Wilhelmine’s memoirs remain an essential source on her life and legacy.

Camerata Øresund is a Copenhagen-based early music ensemble founded in 2010 by violinist Peter Spissky. Bringing together musicians from the Øresund region of Denmark and Sweden, the group is known for its vibrant, historically informed performances of 17th- and 18th-century music. With a focus on dynamic interaction and audience engagement, Camerata Øresund presents both beloved classics and rediscovered works in innovative formats, including children’s concerts, operas, and oratorios. Performing regularly across Denmark and Europe, the ensemble has earned a reputation as one of Scandinavia’s most distinctive and creative voices in the early music scene.